Vacuum cleaner with internal accessory tool carrier



Jan. 19, 1957 w, SCHAEFER 3,296,648

VACUUM CLEANER WITH INTERNAL ACCESSORY TOOL CARRIER Filed Dec. 31, 1963 5 SheetsSheet l INVENTOR.

Jan. 10, 1967 H. w. SCHAEFER 3,296,648

VACUUM CLEANER WITH INTERNAL ACCESSORY TOOL CARRIER Filed Dec. 51, 1963 5 Sheets-$heet I N VENTOR.

wawem Q BY Jan. 10, 1967 w SCHAEFER 3,296,648

VACUUM CLEANER WITH INTERNAL ACCESSORY TOOL CARRIER Filed Dec. 31, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 1 I r; w

V J V INVENTOR 5 United States Patent C) 3,296,648 VACUUM CLEANER WITH INTERNAL ACCESSORY TQOL CAR Harold W. Schaefer, Bloomiugton, 11]., assignor to National Union Electric Corporation, Stamford, Conn.,

a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 31, 1963, Ser. No. 334,794 4 Claims. (Cl. -323) This invention relates to vacuum cleaners and more particularly relates to an internal accessory tool carrier for a canister type vacuum cleaner.

Because of the popularity of the so-called canister type vacuum cleaner, a much greater use is being made of this type of cleaner and the various accessory tools or attachments supplied therewith. Consequently, in order to facilitate such use, it is desirable to be able to store the tools in generally close proximity to the cleaner so that the operator does not have to waste steps when it is desired to use orto change tools.

To this end, it has heretofore been proposed to provide an attachment or tool carrier which may be clamped or otherwise secured to the vacuum cleaner casing so that the tools are more readily accessible to the operator. Such arrangements, however, are not readily adapted for use with canister type cleaners.

It has also been proposed to mount the various accessory tools wholly within the separable casing sections of a canister type cleaner, either by providing a compartment within the casing in which the tools may be stored or by providing a series of clamps for frictionally holding the tools nested in the upper casing section or cover of the cleaner. Both of these arrangements, while accomplishing the desired end of maintaining the tools in close proximity to the cleaner, do not permit the tools to be removed as a unit from the cleaner and mounted on a wall or some other location convenient to the area being cleaned.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved accessory carrier for a canister type vacuum cleaner.

Another object is to provide an accessory tool carrier of the foregoing character, which is adapted to be mounted wholly within the cleaner casing and which does not interfere with a normal operation of the cleaner.

A further object is to provide a novel accessory tool carrier for a canister type vacuum cleaner, which is adapted to receive and retain the various accessory tools of the cleaner and which permits the removal of the tools as a unit with the carrier.

A still further object is to provide a novel accessory tool carrier of the foregoing character having depressions formed therein which are shaped complementally to the accessory tools so that the latter may resist displacement due to bumping or jarring when the tools are mounted on the carrier.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying sheets of drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view, partly in section and partly in elevation and with portions broken away to show underlying parts, of a canister type vacuum cleaner employing an accessory tool carrier embodying the features of the present invention;

PEG. 2 is a perspective view of the cleaner shown in FIG. 1 as the latter would appear when the cover or upper casing section is raised to expose the tool carrier and a set of associated accessory tools mounted on the carrier;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the carrier as it would appear with the tools removed therefrom;

3,296,548 Patented Jan. 10, 1967 "ice FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 as seen from the opposite end of the cleaner; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, similar to FIG. 4, show ing the accessory tool carrier removed from the cleaner.

In FIG. 1, a canister type vacuum cleaner is illustrated, the latter being exemplary of the type of cleaner with which the present invention is adapted for use. Such cleaner, in the present instance, comprises a generally rectangular or box-like casing 11 which includes a base or lower casing section 12 mounted on casters 13, and a cover or upper casing section 14 having a handle 15 and a motor speed control device 16 mounted thereon. The control device 16 includes a housing having a rearwardly extending arm 21) which cooperates with the rear pair of casters 13 to support the cleaner when the latter is in an upright position, The lower and upper casing sections 12 and 14 are generally cup-shaped and respectively include peripheral side walls 17 and 18 having engageable peripheral edge portions. Hinge structure, comprising a bracket 22 secured to the base 12 and a hinge plate 23 secured to the cover 14, is provided to permit pivotal movement of the cover 14 about a hinge axis defined by a pin 24. Plate-like lugs or guides 25 (FIGS. 2-5) are provided to assure accurate alignment of the cover 14 with the base 12 when the cover is closed.

The hinge plate 23 includes structure defining a nozzle connector or suction inlet opening 26 for detachably receiving a hose connection (not shown) which is carried at one end of an associated cleaning hose (also not shown). Such hose connector structure, indicated generally at 27 in FIG. 1, forms no part of the present invention but is more fully described and claimed in the co-pending Charles B. Smithson application, Serial No. 66,465, filed November 1, 1960, now U. S. Patent No. 3,149,362, issued September 22, 1964. A tubular inlet 28 in the side wall 18 of the cover 14 projects outwardly from the cover into registry with the opening 26 in the hose connector structure 27.

Latch means, indicated generally at 30, is provided at the end of the casing 11 opposite from the hinge structure 22, 23 for releasably securing the cover 14 to the base 12 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1. The latch means 30 is the subject of the Charles B. Smithson Patent No. 3,081,478, issued March 19, 1963, and comprises a handle 32 tiltably connected at its upper end to the side wall 18. An inwardly projecting rib or latching shoulder 33 on the handle 32 is adapted to cooperate with an outwardly projecting lip or flange 34 formed around the peripheral edge of the side wall 17 to hold the cover 14 closed. A spring plate 36 engages the inner side of the side wall 18 and is connected to the upper end of the handle 32 for normally urging the handle inwardly or toward a latching position.

Within the casing 11 of the cleaner is a suction producing means in the form of a motor-fan assembly 40 which is centrally mounted on a horizontal partition or false bottom 41 extending across the base or lower casing section 12. A filter bag holder, indicated generally at 42, is mounted adjacent the inner surface of the side wall 17 for supporting an elongated filter bag 43. The filter bag holder 42, which is described and claimed in the co-pending Charles B. Smithson application Serial No. 66,543, filed November 1, 1960, now U. S. Patent No. 3,209,523, issued October 5, 1965, generally comprises an upright plate member 44 secured to the inner side of the casing side wall 17 as by screws 46 which also secure the hinge bracket 22 thereto. The plate member 44 extends upwardly adjacent the inner side of the upper casing side wall 18 and is provided with an opening 47 around which an annular resilient seal or gasket 48 of sponge rubber or the like is mounted. The opening, indicated at 49, in the seal 48 is aligned with the opening 3 26 in the hose connector structure 27 and the opening 28 in the side wall 18 and prevents loss of suction between the inlet (not shown) of the filter bag 43 and the inlet 28 in the cover 14.

As best seen in FIG. 5, when the filter bag 43 is expanded it assumes a generally circular shape and is disposed in the annular space surrounding the motor-fan assembly 40. The fan portion of the assembly 40 is enclosed in a generally cylindrical housing 50 having an inlet at its upper end which registers with the interior of the casing 11 above the partition 41 and which may be covered by a filter 51. An annular seal 52 is disposed between the lower end of the fan housing 50 and a centrally up-raised portion 53 of the partition 41 to prevent suction losses at this point. The outlet (not shown) of the fan communicates with the space between the partition 41 and the bottom wall of the base 12 and also with an opening 54 in the side wall 17 of the lower casing section 12 below the partition 41. The opening 54 thus comprises an exhaust outlet for the expulsion of air from the fan to the atmosphere.

The motor, indicated at 55, of the assembly 40 depends from the fan housing 50 and extends through an opening 56 in the portion 53. A switch 57, operated by a foot pedal 58, controls the operation of the motor-fan assembly 40.

Referring now to FIGS. 25, the details of the accessory tool carrier, indicated generally at 60, of the present invention will now be described. The carrier 61), in the present instance, comprises a generally rectangular shaped tray member or portion 62 of somewhat smaller size than the casing sections 12 and 14 to permit the former to be wholly enclosed in the casing 11. The tray member 62,

in the present instance, is provided with depending support portions in the form of legs 63 disposed at the corners of the tray member 62 and adapted to engage the partition or false bottom 41 of the base 12 at the four corners thereof. The legs 63 thus locate the carrier 60 in the casing 11 so as to maintain a clearance between the upper end of the fan housing 50 and the underside of the tray member 62 and between the underside of the cover 14 and the various accessory tools mounted on the tray member 62. The legs 63 also define cutouts or open areas in the carrier, the cutout at the rear or the right end of the casing, as viewed in FIG. 1, accommodating the structure of the latch 30 and the cutout at the front or left end of the casing 11 accommodating the structure of the filter bag holder 42. The cutouts at the sides and rear of the carrier 60 also accommodate the expanded peripheral portions of the filter bag 43. In order to protect and clear the filter bag mounting structure, the left or forward end of the tray member 62 may be provided with a hump or shroud portion 64.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the upper surface of the tray member 62 is provided with a plurality of depressions or recesses 6511-6911 for receiving one or more of the various accessory tools of the cleaner. Each recess is preferably shaped complementally to a particular tool of the set. The depressions 65a-69a are adapted to receive and retain the various accessory tools of the cleaner, which, in this instance, comprise a dusting brush 65b, crevice tool 66b, rug and carpet nozzle 67b, fioor nozzle 68b and upholstery nozzle 6%. Because of their complemental shape, the depressions 6Sa69a prevent displacement or dislodging of the respective tools 65b-69b from their respective depressions even when the cleaner is subjected to bumping or jarring.

The carrier 60 may be readily removed from its position on the partion 41, merely by lifting the carrier out of the lower casing section 12. The tools 6512-696, if mounted on the tray member 62, may be removed as a unit with the carrier. In this regard, it is contemplated that the carrier 60 and tools 6512-6912 could be removed from the casing 11 and hung on a wall or other surface near the area being cleaned. In such an adaptation, the

tools 65b-69b could be retained in their depressions 6511- 69a by means of elastic straps or other restraining devices.

It is also contemplated that clips or other retaining means could be provided on the inner or under side of the tray member 62 for releasably securing the associated suction hose (not shown) to the carrier. The hose would be coiled or otherwise compacted to conveniently nest between the legs 63.

Thus, the accessory tool carrier of the present invention provides a convenient mounting for the various accessory tools of the cleaner, so that the tools are always readily accessible for use. Because of the dimensional relationship of the carrier 60 with respect to the casing 11 and particularly with respect to the fan housing 50 and underside of the cover 14, the carrier 60 and accessory tools 6512-6912 may be completely enclosed in the casing 11. When it becomes necessary to remove a tool from or replace a tool on the tray member 62, a user need only raise the cover 14 to expose the carrier 60. Or, as previously mentioned, the carrier 60 and tools b69b may be removed as a unit from the cleaner casing 11 and placed at some convenient location close to the cleaning site. Either way, the accessory tools are always readily available when needed.

While only a single embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, it will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a suction cleaner of the canister type including a casing having a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration, and normally disposed horizontally during use of the cleaner, said casing comprising upper and lower casing sections, an upright motor-fan unit mounted on said lower casing section, and filter bag mounting means supported on said lower casing section for mounting a filter bag within said casing the improvement which comprises a removable internal tool carrier comprising a generally rectangular tray portion having a size such as to extend substantially fully across the interior of said casing in all directions and to substantially enclose the top of said lower casing section, leg portions depending from the corners of said tray portion and freely engaging said lower casing section for removably supporting said tray portion in said casing in overlying relation above said motor-fan unit and above said filter bag, when the latter is installed on said mounting means, and means on the upper surface of said tray portion for receiving and retaining cleaning tools thereon, the height of said leg portrons being such that said tray portion is disposed in spaced relation above said motor-fan unit and above said filter bag, when the latter is installed on said mounting means, and such that said tray portion and said tools when mounted thereon are disposed in spaced relation below said upper casing section when the casing is closed, whereby said carrier and said tools are completely contained within the closed casing but are readily removable as a unit when the casing is open.

2. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said means on the upper surface of said tray portion for receiving and retaining cleaning tools comprises a plurality of depressions shaped complementally to said tools for receiving the tools in nested relation thereon.

3. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said motor-fan unit is mounted substantially centrally of said lower casing section and said filter bag when installed on said mounting means is disposed in generally encircling relation around said motor-fan unit but within said leg portions of said carrier, and said carrier has open and unobstructed areas between said leg portions to accommodate expansion of said filter bag within said casing.

4. The structure of claim 3 further characterized in that said filter bag mounting means comprises upright 5 structure adjacent one edge of said lower casing section, 2,534,122 and said tray portion includes an upwardly bulged shroud 2,885,714 portion adapted to overlie and protect said filter bag 2,975,460 mounting means. 3,170,184 5 3,246,359 References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 669,893

11/1926 Lang.

6 Hamala 15-323 Johnson 15-323 X Sundberg 15-323 Jepson et a1. 15-323 Griffiths 15-323 Great Britain.

9/1948 Stoner 15-323 10 ROBERT W. MICHELL, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A SUCTION CLEANER OF THE CANISTER TYPE INCLUDING A CASING HAVING A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR CROSS-SECTIONAL CONFIGURATION, AND NORMALLY DISPOSED HORIZONTALLY DURING USE OF THE CLEANER, SAID CASING COMPRISING UPPER AND LOWER CASING SECTIONS, AN UPRIGHT MOTOR-FAN UNIT MOUNTED ON SAID LOWER CASING SECTION, AND FILTER BAG MOUNTING MEANS SUPPORTED ON SAID LOWER CASING SECTION FOR MOUNTING A FILTER BAG WITHIN SAID CASING THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES A REMOVABLE INTERNAL TOOL CARRIER COMPRISING A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR TRAY PORTION HAVING A SIZE SUCH AS TO EXTEND SUBSTANTIALLY FULLY ACROSS THE INTERIOR OF SAID CASING IN ALL DIRECTIONS AND TO SUBSTANTIALLY ENCLOSE THE TOP OF SAID LOWER CASING SECTION, LEG PORTIONS DEPENDING FROM THE CORNERS OF SAID TRAY PORTION AND FREELY ENGAGING SAID LOWER CASING SECTION FOR REMOVABLY SUPPORTING SAID TRAY PORTION IN SAID CASING IN OVERLYING RELATION ABOVE SAID MOTOR-FAN UNIT AND ABOVE SAID FILTER BAG, WHEN THE LATTER IS INSTALLED ON SAID MOUNTING MEANS, AND MEANS ON THE UPPER SURFACE OF SAID TRAY PORTION FOR RECEIVING AND RETAINING CLEANING TOOLS THEREON, THE HEIGHT OF SAID LEG PORTIONS BEING SUCH THAT SAID TRAY PORTION IS DISPOSED IN SPACED RELATION ABOVE SAID MOTOR-FAN UNIT AND ABOVE SAID FILTER BAG, WHEN THE LATTER IS INSTALLED ON SAID MOUNTING MEANS, AND SUCH THAT SAID TRAY PORTION AND SAID TOOLS WHEN MOUNTED THEREON ARE DISPOSED IN SPACED RELATION BELOW SAID UPPER CASING SECTION WHEN THE CASING IS CLOSED, WHEREBY SAID CARRIER AND SAID TOOLS ARE COMPLETELY CONTAINED WITHIN THE CLOSED CASING BUT ARE READILY REMOVABLE AS A UNIT WHEN THE CASING IS OPEN. 